What home maintenance should you do in the fall in Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent?
Clean your gutters, shut off and drain outdoor faucets, service your furnace, test your sump pump, and check your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms before winter sets in.
Our winters here along Lake Erie can be unpredictable. One week it’s mild, the next you’re shovelling heavy wet snow, and those freeze-thaw cycles are tough on roofs, foundations, and pipes. A few hours of prep now can save you from a frozen pipe, a wet basement, or a surprise furnace repair in January.
As someone who has owned and managed rental properties for more than 15 years, I’ve learned that most winter headaches start with something small that got missed in the fall. Here’s the checklist I’d use for any home in Windsor-Essex or Chatham-Kent. Curious how much snow we actually get? Watch my video on how much snow Kingsville, Wheatley, and Leamington really get.
Outside the Home
Clean Gutters and Extend Downspouts
Once the leaves are down, clear your gutters so melting snow can drain properly. Clogged gutters can lead to ice dams and water backing up under your shingles. Make sure your downspouts carry water well away from the foundation, because that’s one of the simplest ways to help keep your basement dry.
Shut Off and Drain Outdoor Faucets
Disconnect your garden hoses, turn off the interior shut-off valve for each outdoor faucet, and open the outside tap to let it drain. A frozen line can split and leak inside your wall, and you often won’t know until spring.
Check the Roof and Exterior
From the ground, look for missing or lifted shingles, damaged flashing around chimneys and vents, and gaps around windows and doors. Fresh caulking and weatherstripping help keep the heat in and the drafts out. If anything on the roof looks off, call a roofer rather than climbing up yourself.
Trim Trees and Tidy the Yard
Cut back branches that hang over the roof or near hydro lines, since heavy snow and ice can bring them down. Store patio furniture, drain and put away hoses, and stock up on ice melt and a good shovel before the first storm.
Inside the Home
Service Your Furnace and Change the Filter
Book an annual furnace inspection before the cold really hits, when technicians are easier to schedule. Swap out your furnace filter now and check it regularly through the winter, since a clogged filter makes your system work harder.
Test Your Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms
Press the test button on every alarm and replace batteries as needed. In Ontario, every home needs a working smoke alarm on every storey and outside sleeping areas. As of January 1, 2026, homes with a fuel-burning appliance, a fireplace, or an attached garage must also have a carbon monoxide alarm on every storey. You can review the rules on the Government of Ontario’s carbon monoxide safety page.
Test Your Sump Pump
If you have a sump pump, pour a bucket of water into the pit and make sure it kicks on and drains. Spring thaw and heavy winter rain can test it hard, and a battery backup is worth considering if your area loses power during storms.
Protect Your Pipes
Insulate exposed pipes in unheated spaces like crawl spaces, garages, and along exterior walls. Know where your main water shut-off is, so you can act fast if a pipe ever bursts.
Get the Fireplace or Chimney Inspected
If you use a wood-burning fireplace or stove, have the chimney inspected and cleaned before your first fire of the season. Gas fireplaces should be checked too.
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